1 Corinthians 5:10

KJV

Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet {G2532} not {G3756} altogether {G3843} with the fornicators {G4205} of this {G5127} world {G2889}, or {G2228} with the covetous {G4123}, or {G2228} extortioners {G727}, or {G2228} with idolaters {G1496}; for {G1893} then {G686} must ye needs {G3784} go {G1831} out of {G1537} the world {G2889}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I didn’t mean the sexually immoral people outside your community, or the greedy, or the thieves or the idol-worshippers — for then you would have to leave the world altogether!

Berean Standard Bible

I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

American Standard Version

not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 5:10, the Apostle Paul clarifies a previous directive regarding association with immoral individuals. He explains that his instruction to avoid "fornicators" was not a call for complete withdrawal from all non-believers in the world who engage in such sins, but rather a specific injunction against unrepentant immoral behavior within the Christian community itself. Paul emphasizes that a total separation from the world's sinful population would be practically impossible, as it would necessitate believers physically leaving human society. This verse thus delineates the crucial balance between maintaining Christian distinctiveness and engaging with a fallen world for the sake of gospel witness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial clarification within Paul's broader discourse on church purity and discipline in [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Church Discipline"). The chapter begins with Paul confronting a severe case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church—a man living with his stepmother ([1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - Immorality in the Church")). Paul unequivocally calls for the expulsion of this unrepentant individual from the fellowship ([1 Corinthians 5:2-5](/1_corinthians/5-2-5 "1 Corinthians 5:2-5 - Expulsion of the Immoral Man")). In [1 Corinthians 5:9](/1_corinthians/5-9 "1 Corinthians 5:9 - Previous Letter's Instruction"), Paul references a previous letter where he had instructed them "not to company with fornicators." He anticipates a potential misunderstanding of this instruction, realizing that if taken literally to mean *any* fornicator, covetous person, extortioner, or idolater in the world, believers would be forced to "go out of the world" entirely. Verse 10, therefore, acts as an essential interpretive key, distinguishing between internal church discipline and external engagement with unredeemed society.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a major Roman port city, renowned for its wealth, diverse population, and notoriously permissive moral climate. The city hosted the Isthmian Games and was home to numerous temples, including one dedicated to Aphrodite, which reputedly employed sacred prostitutes. Idolatry, sexual immorality (including prostitution and various forms of fornication), and exploitative financial practices (covetousness and extortion) were pervasive aspects of Corinthian society. Christians in such an environment faced daily exposure to these behaviors and the challenge of living distinctly while still participating in civic and commercial life. Paul's letter addresses the practical dilemma of how believers should interact with a culture steeped in practices antithetical to their faith, particularly given the strong emphasis on communal purity in early Christian communities.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 5:10](/1_corinthians/5-10 "1 Corinthians 5:10 - Living in the World, Not of It") contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of 1 Corinthians and Pauline theology. It highlights the critical distinction between **separation from sin** and **isolation from sinners**. While the church must maintain internal holiness and exercise discipline over its own members to preserve its purity and witness, it is not called to withdraw from the world entirely. This verse underscores the theme of **Christian witness and engagement**, implying that believers must interact with the world to fulfill their mission as [salt and light](/matthew/5-13-16 "Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light of the World"). It also touches upon the **pervasiveness of sin in the fallen world**, acknowledging that immoral behaviors like fornication, covetousness, extortion, and idolatry are rampant outside the church, making complete avoidance of individuals who practice them an impossibility without leaving human society altogether. This sets the stage for Paul's further instructions on how Christians are to live "in" the world but not "of" it, as Jesus himself prayed in [John 17:15-16](/john/17-15-16 "John 17:15-16 - In the World, Not of the World").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fornicators (Greek, _pórnos'_):** From the base meaning "to sell," this term refers to a (male) prostitute, and by analogy, a debauchee or libertine. It is a broad term encompassing all forms of sexual immorality outside of biblically defined marriage, including prostitution, adultery, and other illicit sexual acts. Paul's use here indicates the prevalence of such behavior in the broader Corinthian society.
* **idolaters (Greek, _eidōlolátrēs'_):** Derived from "image" (εἴδωλον) and the base of "to serve" (λατρεύω), this word signifies an image-servant or worshipper, literally or figuratively. It refers to those who worship idols or false gods. In the Greco-Roman world, idolatry was deeply integrated into daily life, often involving immoral practices and pagan festivals, making it a significant point of distinction for early Christians.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** This term, likely from a root meaning "orderly arrangement," denotes decoration or, by implication, the world in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally). In this context, _kósmos_ refers to the unredeemed human society, characterized by its fallen nature and moral standards that are contrary to God's will. Paul uses it to describe the sphere outside the church, where sin is the norm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world":** Paul begins by clarifying his previous instruction. The phrase "not altogether" (G3843 _pántōs_) signifies "not by all means" or "not entirely." He is making it clear that his prohibition on associating with "fornicators" (G4205 _pórnos_) was not an absolute command to avoid all sexually immoral people who are part of "this world" (G5127 _toútou_ G2889 _kósmos_), meaning the unredeemed society outside the church. This immediately sets up the distinction between behavior within the church and behavior in the broader society.
* **"or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters":** Paul expands the list of immoral people in "this world" with whom he is *not* forbidding all contact. "Covetous" (G4123 _pleonéktēs_) refers to those eager for gain, avaricious, or defrauding. "Extortioners" (G727 _hárpax_) are rapacious individuals who seize by force or plunder. "Idolaters" (G1496 _eidōlolátrēs_) are worshippers of false gods. The repeated "or" (G2228 _ḗ_) emphasizes that these are distinct categories of prevalent sin in the world, all of which Christians would inevitably encounter.
* **"for then must ye needs go out of the world":** This clause provides the logical consequence and justification for Paul's clarification. The conjunction "for" (G1893 _epeí_) introduces the reason. If the Corinthians were to completely avoid all such immoral individuals, they would "needs" (G3784 _opheílō_, implying necessity or obligation) "go out of" (G1831 _exérchomai_ G1537 _ek_) "the world" (G2889 _kósmos_). This is a rhetorical hyperbole, highlighting the absurdity and impracticality of such a complete withdrawal. It underscores that Christians are called to live *in* the world, not to escape it.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Rhetorical Questioning** (implied) and **Hyperbole** in this verse to make his point. While not a direct question, the phrase "for then must ye needs go out of the world" functions as a rhetorical statement that anticipates and dismisses a misinterpretation. It's an implied question: "Do you think I meant you should leave the world entirely?" The answer, clearly, is no. This is further emphasized by **Hyperbole**, the deliberate exaggeration for effect. Paul uses the extreme scenario of "going out of the world" to underscore the impracticality and theological error of attempting complete physical isolation from all non-believers. This exaggeration effectively highlights the true intent of his previous instruction: not a call for monastic separation, but for moral and spiritual distinctiveness within society. The **Enumeration** of specific vices (fornicators, covetous, extortioners, idolaters) also serves to illustrate the pervasive nature of sin in the world, reinforcing the impossibility of total physical withdrawal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 5:10 offers profound theological insight into the nature of the church's engagement with the world. It asserts that while believers are called to be morally distinct and holy, reflecting God's character, this separation is not to be achieved through physical isolation from society. Instead, the church is meant to exist within the world, acting as a transformative presence. This requires a careful discernment between the necessary internal discipline for unrepentant sin within the community of faith and the unavoidable interaction with the pervasive sinfulness of the unredeemed world. Paul implies that the church's mission to evangelize and bear witness to Christ necessitates its presence among those who are lost, even if they are engaged in practices contrary to God's will.

* [John 17:15-16](/john/17-15-16 "John 17:15-16 - Jesus' Prayer for Believers")
* [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed, Not Conformed")
* [Matthew 5:13-16](/matthew/5-13-16 "Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light of the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 5:10 provides timeless wisdom for Christians navigating a world that often stands in stark contrast to biblical values. It challenges us to embrace a nuanced approach to Christian living: we are called to be "in" the world but not "of" it. This means actively participating in society—working, shopping, engaging in community life, and building relationships—without adopting the world's sinful practices or compromising our moral integrity. Our presence in the world, marked by Christ-like character and distinct ethical standards, becomes a powerful testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel. We are to be agents of light and truth, not cloistered observers. This verse compels us to cultivate discernment, understanding that while we must distance ourselves from unrepentant sin within the church, our mission requires us to lovingly engage with those outside the faith, offering them the hope and redemption found only in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I balance the call to be holy and separate from sin with the command to engage with and love those who are not yet believers?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be tempted to either withdraw too much from the world or conform too much to its patterns?**
* **How can my interactions with non-believers, even those engaged in the sins listed by Paul, become opportunities for gospel witness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure I am living "in" the world but not "of" it, as Paul describes?**

### FAQ
**Does Paul's instruction mean Christians should never have friends or interact with non-believers who engage in sinful activities?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. Paul explicitly clarifies in [1 Corinthians 5:10](/1_corinthians/5-10 "1 Corinthians 5:10 - Living in the World, Not of It") that his previous instruction in [1 Corinthians 5:9](/1_corinthians/5-9 "1 Corinthians 5:9 - Previous Letter's Instruction") was not a call for complete social isolation from non-believers. He states that if Christians were to avoid all "fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters," they would "needs go out of the world." This highlights the practical impossibility and theological error of such an approach. Instead, Paul is distinguishing between the need for strict discipline within the church community concerning professing believers who persist in unrepentant sin (addressed in [1 Corinthians 5:11-13](/1_corinthians/5-11-13 "1 Corinthians 5:11-13 - Judging Those Inside the Church")) and the necessary engagement with the broader, unredeemed world. Christians are called to be a transformative presence in the world, which requires interaction and relationship, not withdrawal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 5:10, while addressing practical church discipline, finds its ultimate fulfillment and theological grounding in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself perfectly embodied the principle of being "in the world" but not "of the world." He constantly engaged with sinners, tax collectors, and outcasts, dining with them and demonstrating radical love and compassion, as seen in his interactions with figures like [Zacchaeus](/luke/19-1-10 "Luke 19:1-10 - Jesus and Zacchaeus") or the [woman caught in adultery](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman"). Yet, in all His interactions, Jesus remained utterly pure and undefiled, never compromising His holiness or succumbing to the world's sin. His mission was to seek and save the lost, a mission that necessitated His presence among them ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")). The church, as the body of Christ, is called to continue this mission. We are to be the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" ([Matthew 5:13-16](/matthew/5-13-16 "Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light of the World")), preserving and illuminating a decaying world, not by escaping it, but by penetrating it with the transforming power of the Gospel. Our ability to engage with the world's brokenness without being consumed by it is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work, which empowers us to live righteously and bear witness to His saving grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 10:27

If any of them that believe not bid you [to a feast], and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

John 17:15

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

John 17:16

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 8:23

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1 John 5:19

[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.